Why Winter is Japan’s Most Underrated Season for Travelers

Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations for several reasons. This isolated land of Asia will reveal a completely different culture, where you can meet different people and taste different food. 

Also, lovers of architecture and art can enjoy a simple stroll down the street from your hotel or booking because every step of Japan's everyday life is filled with art. The Japanese tradition is long and rich, and this is reflected in the creation of different art and architectural styles. 

When it comes to seasons, many travelers think that the best time to visit Japan is in spring- this way, they can enjoy the blossoming of the Japanese cherry tree and beautiful weather. However, true lovers of this culture will be able to appreciate every experience and find perks during each season. So, the best time to visit Japan is not just spring, as you can completely tailor the experience to your needs and wander a bit of the trails of mainstream visit spots (as they easily get crowded anyway).

A Japanese photographer who calls himself “@naagaoshi” decided to portray Japan through a winter lens. As we can see from the report shared on Bored Panda, he decided to reveal the winter side of the country by going into Ginzan Onsen, known for its thermal sources and spa centers. The contrast between warm water and called weather is somewhat meditative and therapeutic. 

Taking a Winter Trip to Hokkaido

The most northern tourist point in Japan is the island of Hokkaido, and many nature lovers and hikers go to this part of Japan during the winter months, mostly from December until February. It is important to remember that this weather is not for tropical lovers. 

First, snow usually falls during November, and the temperature gets below O degrees Celsius in December. Even with the snowstorm disrupting the local transportation system, potentially causing delays in the visitors' itinerary, thousands of people come to visit this winter wonderland every year.

A Few Things to Keep In Mind

Traveling during the winter season is an entirely different experience than booking a short weekend trip to Italy with just your backpack. For those who are doing it for the first time, it is important to do some research and preparations (preferably) in advance. That includes things like packing proper thermal gear and sorting out a Japan eSIM ahead of time, so you're not relying on public Wi-Fi in freezing weather.

The island of Hokkaido is a great example of Japan's gems that are simply better during winter. It has amazing lodging where the inside is almost like a sauna, with 30 degrees Celsius, an amazing natural diversity that has more ecological traits in common with the Russian island of Sakhalin than the rest of Japan. More importantly, Hokkaido is home to the city of Sapporo, where the majority of residents are living. 

The city of Sapporo is an amazing destination all year round. Still, it has a specific type of charm during winter, especially because of the city's Snow Festival, Sapporo Yuki Matsuri. The cultural program topics change annually, but the stunning images of ice crystal sculptures near Park Odori and in the Susukino neighborhood. 

For those interested in the nightlife and cuisine, this is an obligatory spot in your trip around Japan. Beer lovers can quench their thirst with the local Sapporo beer, which is among the most famous beers from Japan. It is known for its yellow colors and slightly bitter flavor notes. This local brand is well connected with tradition since it was made in one of the oldest industrial breweries in this part of the world. 

After all of this, especially during winter, explorers should consider checking the Sapporo Miso ramen with a twist since they add a bit of butter for flavor and some sweet corn to accentuate the taste palette variety. 

Nature and the Eastern Countryside 

You cannot go to Hokkaido and only stay in urban surroundings.  The landscape is what makes this region special. But if you enjoy the comfort and warmth of urban areas, we suggest exploring the wilderness in the form of a day trip. Noboribetsu Onsen is only an hour and 40 minutes away from Sapporo and is the perfect choice for a little adventure.

Noboribetsu is the name of the town, which you can easily find on the map, and from there, it's only a 10-minute bus ride to Noboribetsu Onsen, the sulfur town. Locals come here for the attractive hiking trails in Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and relaxation in the hot spring baths (onsen).

Going Skiing in the Japanese Alps

The main Japanese island of Honshu is long and relatively narrow, surrounded on one side by the Sea of ​​Japan and on the other by the Pacific, and in the very middle are mountain ranges. The biggest is the Japanese Alps, but there are other mountains where there are many very well-equipped ski resorts with beautiful and expensive hotels. But if you don't have a lot of money, there are always ways to stay cheap, rent equipment, and enjoy the snow. In addition, there are many hot mineral springs in the Japanese mountains, so you can, in addition to skiing, also enjoy swimming in a warm void while everything around you is white.

The Windy Rishiri

Another island is the remote Rishiri, located in the northwest part of the country and has snow during the entire winter season. Even with the local winds that the natives are used to, in the center of the island is a sleeping volcano that has many natural ski trails during the winter season.

According to locals, the true beauty of Rishiri lies in its imperfect mountainous shape (compared to Fiji). It is like having many different mountains in one, and those who have more experience and know how to search for shelter can always take a break. And, of course, they considered it the best snow in the world. 

In the native language of the Japanese, Ainu, Rishiri means high island, while it is often called - Fukushima, which translates to floating island.

More to Japan Than You Might Know

This was a brief exploration of a few of the most mentioned places that the average tourist may not know about. However, in The Skyscanner research that was done in 2023 for the most popular travel destination, three cities were from Japan. 

Sapporo was the most highly ranked, taking the 5th place; Osak followed, while Tikio took the 10th position. 

As we already mentioned, Sapporo is the main capital of Hokkaido and is worth at least one trip. So whether you like to experience tradition through festivals or are a fan of winter sports, this should be your competitor for the coming holidays. 

The best thing is that you can easily tailor a travel experience to your budget and needs, and there are travel companies that can do the administrative and informative search on your behalf so you can pick a destination and enjoy. 

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